Patriots sign Wilfork to long-term deal

The New England Patriots have finally rewarded star defensive tackle Vince Wilfork by giving him a five-year contract extension worth $40 million.

The team placed the franchise tag on Wilfork to avoid losing him, and the defensive tackle had made it clear for months leading up to the move how unhappy he would be with the organization.

However, Wilfork changed his tune somewhat after being slapped with the franchise tag, saying he really hoped that there was a good reason behind it.

It seems that the Patriots simply used the tag to give them more time to work on a long-term contract with Wilfork.

The contract now makes Wilfork the highest paid player at his position in the NFL, an honor that is well-deserved for the multi-time All-Pro defensive tackle.

Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 12:38 am by steve · No Comments

Wilfork gets franchise tag

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has been given the franchise tag designation.

Wilfork has been adamant over the past year that he wants nothing to do with the franchise tag and wants a new deal.

The Patriots say that the tag will keep Wilfork with the Patriots and give them more time to work out a new contract.

The team seems to be willing to sit down with the All-Pro and offer him a contract extension, making it their top priority.

Wilfork has been more optimistic about the tag of late, saying he hopes the purpose is to come to a long-term agreement.

Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 12:58 pm by steve · No Comments

Moss says next year will be last with Patriots

New England Patriots star wide receiver Randy Moss believes that next season will be his last with the team despite all of the success he has had with them.

Moss said he just doesn’t believe they are going to extend his contract. He is currently heading into the final season of a three-year, $27 million contract.

He said he is not upset with the Patriots and understands the way they operate, and that it all simply comes down to a business decision.

The wideout said he was surprised to receive the second contract from the Patriots, and he said that he has played through a lot the past two seasons.

He also said that he doesn’t know what is going on with Tom Brady’s contract situation, but speculates that the team will lock him up for many years to come.

Friday, February 26, 2010 at 7:18 pm by steve · No Comments

Pats Franchise Wilfork, Hope For Long-Term Deal

Vince Wilfork, consider yourself slapped in the face.

A month ago, the Patriots’ prized defensive lineman said that a franchise tag would be a slap in the face; today, the Pats announced that they had placed the tag on Wilfork, with hopes of working out a long-term deal.

“A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team’s top contractual priority for some time,” the Patriots announced in a statement. “Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans. It is because of Vince’s importance to this organization that we have assigned the franchise designation as we continue to work toward a long-term agreement. We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come.”

The Pats used a non-exclusive franchise tag on Wilfork, which allows other NFL teams to potentially sign him to an offer sheet. If the Pats don’t match the offer, they’d receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.

If Wilfork signs his franchise tender, he’ll earn $7 million this season, which is the average of the five highest-paid players at his position last season.

Wilfork took to his wife’s Twitter account Monday to respond:

“After six years of dedicated service I do understand this is a business,” the message read. “With that being said it is my hope that the tag is applied for its true purpose. For the purpose of allotting more time for us to continue our talks and be able to reach a long term agreement. Only time will tell what the final result will be.”

Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10:34 pm by bryan · No Comments

Randy Moss Doesn’t Expect Contract Extension

In Randy Moss’ mind, this will be his last season with the New England Patriots.

Moss spoke out with The Boston Globe over the weekend, where he admitted that he didn’t expect to be back with the Pats after 2010-11.

“There is no bad blood. There is no animosity on my side or their side,” Moss said. “I think it’s just the nature of the business of the NFL. You know the Patriots don’t really pay, so when I got my second contract from them, that was a blessing in disguise. I understand the business. I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. I’m not mad. I’m not bitter. It’s just the way things are in the NFL, so like I said, after this year, I’ll be looking for a new team.”

The Patriots have been one of the franchises in the past decade, along with the Philadelphia Eagles, unafraid to release talented veterans in favor of younger, cheaper guys.

“That’s not a knock on them. That’s just how they run their organization,” Moss said when asked to further clarify his “Pats don’t pay” comments. “That’s how it is. Put it like this: I guess that before I came there, the philosophy was believing in their system. I think that’s where they really don’t pay guys because they have so much faith in their system. I didn’t mean it as a knock against the organization. They just don’t pay.”

While the Patriots have managed to parlay their management strategy into three Super Bowl victories this past decade, their policies have also come back to bite them from time to time. After allowing cornerback Asante Samuel to go to the Eagles, the Pats still haven’t replicated his production. And ESPN writer Bill Simmons is convinced that releasing WR Deion Branch cost the Pats a fourth Super Bowl this decade.

at 9:35 pm by bryan · No Comments

Thomas said things fell apart in Week 1

New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas said that things began to fall apart between him and head coach Bill Belichick in Week One.

He said after the game against Buffalo, he had a strange meeting where it was discussed whether or not the level of his play was sufficient.

Thomas was actually put on the inactive list for one game this season, which is a very rare thing to happen to a starter.

He then later showed up late to a team meeting because he was stuck in traffic due to a snow storm. He was one of three players who were late.

Thomas made it clear much of the season that things were rocky between him and the head coach and that he wasn’t particularly happy.

Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 7:10 am by steve · No Comments

Welker has knee surgery

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker has undergone surgery repair his injured left knee.

The doctors said the surgery went perfect, but it remains to be seen whether or not Welker can recover.

No timetable has yet been issued for Welker’s return, but I would guess that one will be made known in the coming weeks.

Quarterback Tom Brady said Welker is a tough guy and there is no doubt he will make it back.

The surgery comes 30 days after Welker was injured while trying to make a cut in the season finale.

Friday, February 5, 2010 at 10:51 am by steve · No Comments

No surgery for Brady

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will not need surgery for his rib and finger injuries.

Brady said that he is feeling really good and that he is happy that surgery isn’t needed to fix anything.

He also mentioned that he feels a lot better this offseason because he had to deal with all of the questions surrounding his knee last year.

The fact that surgery is not needed will allow him to start his offseason workout plans right away.

That’s a bit of good news for the Patriots, who are still smarting over their quick, first-round playoff exit.

Friday, January 29, 2010 at 4:56 pm by steve · No Comments

Brady opts out of Pro Bowl

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has decided to skip the Pro Bowl because of his finger and rib injuries.

Brady will be replaced by Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who ironically had a much better statistical season anyway.

Brady was still a top 10 quarterback in 2009, but he clearly took a step back after missing a year with a knee injury.

The quarterback struggled through the first few games before finally getting into a groove, only to be inconsistent down the stretch.

The offseason will give him a chance to heal some of his injuries as well as reflect on his disappointing year.

Friday, January 22, 2010 at 5:55 pm by steve · No Comments

Seau retires for fourth time

New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau has announced his retirement, the fourth time he has done so.

Seau seemed finally done for good after last season, but the Patriots signed him during the year after an injury to their star linebacker.

He elected to come back again, feeling he still had something left in the tank and believing the Patriots could win another Super Bowl.

Things didn’t quite work out as he had hoped, as the Patriots went down in a heap in the first round of the playoffs.

Seau, who just turned 41, is a 12-time Pro Bowler. It’s pretty amazing that he was able to even make a team at that age and playing that position.

Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 9:57 am by steve · No Comments